As part of the League of Women Voters’ efforts to educate and inform voters on the many policy issues that are being discussed this election season, we’re shining a light on immigration. Significantly more Americans name immigration as the most important problem facing the U.S. according to a Gallup poll in June.
However, there’s a lot of disinformation fueling unfounded “immigration antagonism.” We’ve seen this on the debate stage, and when candidates and TV pundits speak with hostility offering up a myriad of disinformation about immigrants. Facts may help dispel some of these slanderous opinions.
One of the nastiest lies is falsely smearing immigrants as criminals. Immigrants, regardless of citizenship status, are 60% less likely to be incarcerated for committing crimes than U.S.-born citizens, according to research by Stanford economist Ran Abramitzky.
Immigration opponents claim immigrants are a drain on the economy and on government resources. False.
Immigrants are particularly ambitious and hardworking. They are 80% more likely to start a new business than U.S.-born citizens. Research by the American Immigration Council finds that nearly half of today’s Fortune 500 companies were founded by either immigrants or the children of immigrants, including four of the top 12 companies. Impressively, immigrant-founded businesses comprise 103 companies in last year’s Fortune 500.
Silicon Valley companies employ thousands of immigrants who have been highly successful, working as entrepreneurs and employees in technology. Including, creating lifesaving robotics used in surgeries worldwide.
Many of these migrants are critical to our health. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that immigrants account for more than 26% of physicians and surgeons. Forty percent of personal care aides are immigrants as are about a fifth of nursing assistants. Approximately, 1.6 million immigrants are working as doctors, registered nurses, dentists, pharmacists or dental hygienists.
According to Phil Swagel, the director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, estimates that new immigrants will add about $7 trillion dollars to America’s economy over the next decade. This includes about $1 trillion in tax revenues that will help shrink, not grow, the deficit. The libertarian Cato Institute found that new immigrants pay $1.38 in taxes for every dollar of benefits they receive. U.S. born residents pay around 69 cents for every dollar of benefits they receive.
Another common anti-newcomer misconception is that immigrants are taking away jobs. Immigrants are not taking away jobs that Americans want. Undocumented immigrants in particular are doing some of the most dangerous, difficult, low-paying and essential jobs in the country, while the U.S. enjoys record-low unemployment.
Young migrants will play a large role to help keep Social Security strong, as the nation ages and the Baby Boomers move into retirement. Immigrants add immeasurably to the richness of American culture. We need immigrants to keep our economy, and our country, vibrant and growing.
Yes, we need to develop comprehensive immigration reform and, please, also remember that immigration policy covers newcomers from every country outside the U.S. In an election year when immigration is a partisan issue, we should remember the profound difference immigrants have made and continue to make in our lives.
They are not “poisoning the blood of our country.” They’re revitalizing and restoring it.
Be an educated voter.
From the timeless words of Thomas Jefferson: “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”
Please, make a plan to vote.
Jan Phillips, M.Ed. is a member of the board of directors of the League of Women Voters La Plata, and is chair of the Healthcare Committee. She is also the vice chair of the La Plata Healthcare Improvement Coalition, working to improve healthcare availability and delivery.
